The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-24
first pencilling is dated 17s9, when in

he had his bread to win as a designer of "Twelffh Night" characters, and "Lottery Tickets ;'' as rough illus trator of songs, or pictorial delineator of any event or exhibition which ex- cited public attention. In 1905, he made drawing of Nelson's funeral car; in 1922, he was the popular pie torial commentator.
 Cruikshank was given to convivi- alily in his early manhood. His father was drunkard, and of course gath cred round him as boon companions, men of like habits. George tells us that he had often been surprised on coming down stairs in the morning to find some of the gentlemen who had dined with his father the previous day. rolled up in the carpet in an ex- traordinary manner. His fathers death was the result of bet made with companion that he could drink more tnmblers of whisky than he, without falling under the table. This sad event made deep impression on his mind. Pecuniary difficulties also had their effect. "I had some money at bankers; he fell into difficulties, took to drinking brandy -and water, and ended by blowing out his brains l lost my money, and in my distress applied to friends, who aided me for time; but they also fell into difficult ties, and l was forced to extricate my self by the most extraordinary exer- tions. In this straight 1 thought: The best thing can do is to take to water. But still 1 went on for some time before I quite weaned myself from my own drinking habits. went to take lunch with my friend Dickens (who, am sorry to say, is not teetotaler); he asked me to take wine, but 1 told him I had taken to water, for in my opinion a man had better take glass of prussic acid than fall into the other habit of talk ing brandy -and-water, and I am happy to say that Charles Dickens quite agreed with me, that man had better wipe himself out at once, than extinguish himself by degrees by the soul-degrading and body destroying enemy"
 The death of his friend Gillray, 8 noted artist, who fell victim to strong drink, did much to fortify Cruikshank's purpose to become a total aDstainer, and from thence for ward till his death at the ripe age of S6, he was radical on the question of temperance. He devoted his genius largely to the illustration of the evils of intemperance, and frequently lec- tured on the subject. No liquors of any sort were allowed on his table.
 Cuthbert Bede, who knew Cruik- shank intimately in his teetotal days, drew for MT. Jerrold graphic pie ture of the temperance advocate at home, though part of it was at his own expense. It was his first inter- view with the artist. It had been prolonged several hours, and the time for lunch had arrived. He was in- vited to stay. "'There will be noth- ing else than leg of mutton,' said Cruikshank.
 "I happen to know that, for came in with it, I replied, for as I knocked at the hall door, the butchers boy was down in the area, delivering the leg of mutton to the cook. Cruik- shank seemed to be greatly amused at this, for he laughed heartily, and said to his wife, My dear, MT. - came in with the mutton.' More than once he repeated the words to his wife; it seemed to tickle his fancy greatly. It was while was eating it, terribly forgot myself. The day was very sultry it was five hours since I had breakfasted we had been busy talk ing, and l felt thirsty. So while the parlor-maid was handing something to me, asked her to give me a glass of beer. She replied:
 "We have no beer.'
 "Then I said: Please to bring me the sherry.'
 "'There is no sherry, sir Where upon my host interposed, and laugh ingly explained that he could not allow the introduction of any alco- holic liquor into his house, and that while was his guest, I must content myself with drinking water. Then suddenly remembered that which ought not to have forgotten even for a moment, that my host had devoted himself to teetotalism, and that was sitting at the table of the artist, who, six years before, had drawn the eight scenes of 'The Bottle,' and had thereby struck powerful blow at one of the greatest vices of the age -" During the remainder of the dinner, we scarcely spoke on any other subject than that which gave rise to the scenes of The Bottle,' The Drunk ards Children 'The Gin Trap,' 'The Gin Juggernaut,' and at later period, his large oil-painting, The Worship of Bacchus.'"
 Great has been the change in our